Played out of position on the flank and dropped for last weekend’s game at Tottenham, the 27-year-old had been tentatively linked with a departure from Anfield this summer, with Arsenal fans keen for Arsene Wenger to bring him to the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal have had problems up front in recent times, with Olivier Giroud struggling to show consistency in front of goal, though a late deal to sign Lucas Perez meant that another striker addition was unlikely.

Record since 2012/13

Olivier Giroud: 188 games, 82 goals (0.43 per game)

Daniel Sturridge: 95 games, 55 goals (0.57 per game)

Still, Goal claim there were some talks over a move on deadline day, though the offer came from Sturridge’s entourage rather than getting the approval of Liverpool themselves.

The report adds that Wenger himself rates the former Chelsea man highly, and that he was a boyhood Arsenal supporter.